It is depressing. I love the Champions League nights, the buzz and the anticipation. But English football isn't in crisis. The Premier League is more popular, competitive and exciting than ever.

And we can't be that bad. After all, Chelsea won the Champions League last season. Theirs is the most recent name on the trophy.

When I tweeted that this morning, I got a flood of replies saying Chelsea just got lucky. Don't make me laugh. You make your own luck and you need a lot more than luck to beat Barcelona over two legs and Bayern Munich in their own backyard in the final.

You need spirit, desire, never-say-die attitude, strength, character, brilliant heroes. And they had all of those things in abundance.

And in fact, all of those qualities are part of the charm and success of English football. They are great characteristics and they also help shape the Premier League.

The Premier League may not be as high in standard as in previous years, but we still have intense, thrilling and brilliant games even in mid-table week-in and week-out.

It's why the Premier League is sold around the world, is the most entertaining league in the world and, in my opinion, is also the best league in the world.

Does that translate into having the best teams? Not always. But it did help Chelsea win it last year and I have a sneaky feeling for an English team in the Europa League. Tottenham anyone?

So, English football is not in that bad shape. Which brings us round to Wenger's motivation for his wide sweeping statement about the state of our game.

Sadly, I think it's more relevant to Arsenal than any other English club. Arsenal used to be genuine contenders for the Champions League. They used to dominate English football.

They have remained consistent in clinching a top four place every year. But they are no longer competitive. Therefore their exit in Munich completing a clean sweep of English clubs is more worrying for Arsenal than the state of the national game.

Manchester United were surely a red card away from dumping out Real Madrid. At the risk of sounding like a Wenger excuse, they were the better team until Nani got sent off.

Arsenal, however, were overwhelmed in the first leg by Bayern Munich and were brilliant, brave and proud in the second leg. Sadly for Wenger, that was not quite enough.

But Wenger should not hide from the failings of his own team by looking elsewhere. Arsenal need a new spine - a keeper, centre half, midfield anchorman and forward.

That's big investment. Furthermore, the squad was exposed. They have dropped, rested and left injured players at home. Call it what you like. I fancy if it was a cup final tomorrow then they'd all be playing. Arsenal aren't good enough to rest big players.

That meant Arsenal fielded a relatively strong team in Munich but with few options from the bench. They also looked a little short on the pitch, no matter how good the second leg was.

Wenger is crying out for extra quality, characters and strength. I firmly believe, with the full backing of the board, Wenger will look to address that this summer.

Just imagine signing a Pepe Reina, experienced centre half, holding midfielder and a top quality striker. That would transform Arsenal. And the money's there.

That's not the same for the two Manchester clubs. They already have good quality. Maybe City dumbed down last season with some buys. United have kicked on. Another midfielder would really strengthen them. Chelsea just need another manager.

But to suggest English football is in decline is the ultimate example of mind games. Wenger's problems lie closer to home.

He will now be hoping that spirit can carry them into fourth. Don't bet against it. But if they finish outside of the top four, then it proves Arsenal are in decline while other English teams are improving and have overtaken them.

Read John Cross' Arsenal column exclusively on MirrorFootball every Thursday